Euonymus Americanus-much better known as Hearts A Bustin’ grows in the woods surrounding my house. For most of the growing season the bush is one you hardly notice. But come Fall of the year it really puts on a show with its hot pink heart bustin open to reveal the red berries inside.
The bush is also commonly called: catspaws, strawberry bush, and jewel box.
Even though the bush has long since lost its bustin hearts for this year-today seemed totally appropriate for me to tell you about it. Guitar Man is getting on a plane up North early this morning and Pap and Steve are headed to Atlanta to pick him up right about now. All our hearts are bustin with happiness knowing Guitar Man is coming home for Christmas.
Tipper
Appalachia Through My Eyes – A series of photographs from my life in Southern Appalachia.
What a neat little plant. I’ve not seen those before.
Enjoy your time with Guitar Man!!
We have hearts a bustin’,too. Merry Christmas to the whole Blind Pig Gang!
Kinda looks like bittersweet. Bittersweet has been picked so much up here for decoration that it has become an endangered plant… honestly!
Well Tipper had not been able to read your enlightning message till now –not quite sure if you get these post after a certain hour of the day ?? But I wanted to say what an interesting bush I wonder if they are up here in the north? I am so happy for you that guitar man will be home for the holiday family becomes so much stronger at certain times of the year so make sure all of you can get together and jam.
I would love to have some of those in my yard! Beautiful. Never seen anything like it. Thanks for showing it. Nana
Beautiful! and happy for you!
i willl ask too…. can the seeds be bought and where could this plant be found>it is beautiful
Wonderful pictures Tipper. In the Ozarks we called the plant “Hearts a burstin with Love”. For this occasion, this seems appropriate for you and your family. May your have a joyful reunion and a Blessed Christmas!
That is a beautiful plant! I don’t believe that I have ever seen one.
I do love a cats paw! We have some down near the bottoms. Thanks for sharing this! I am so glad you have family coming home for Christmas! Have a blessed one!
I’m praying for a safe trip for your folks to the airport and home.Know it’s always good to have the kids home. Never have seen the flower bush so am not sure it grows here.
Good to hear that Guitar Man is getting a break from studies and a chance to get back down to experience the good life! Merry Christmas to the Blind Pig gang as well as all the Acorns out there!
Never seen those before but probaly walked right over the..lol. Glad to hear he’s coming home for Christmas.. Wish them safe travel..
Tipper,
One more thing….If Mother Nature can wear those Hearts A’ Bustin’ colors together so can we….LOL…I would love to have a scarf with that blend…
Thanks again…
Tipper,
Looking forward to some more Christmas music with the presence of Guitar Man back home….Know you all will be “Rockin round the Christmas Tree” ;and having fun…
I love Hearts a’Bustin’…we have them growing here on our driveway and in the woods…Like you say generally they are just part of the green woodsy landscape until late in the season and then Wow do they put on a show that just draw you to them…I have oftn wondered what all that color was about the orange seeds and Rose Red…and what varmit except maybe birds it attracts…
Thanks Tipper for another great post…
safe journey for all — how nice to have him home for Christmas (and another “picker” to enjoy). Love the hame “hearts-a-busting ’cause I’ve felt that blessing many times, especially at Christmas.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful and interesting plant with us. I haven’t seen one before. So glad that Guitarman is on his way home for Christmas!
I know that you are looking forward to all being together.
Tipper: Would you believe I have TWO ‘Hearts a bustin’ shrubs growing in my gardens? HOWEVER, the dang deer keep the buds nibbled off and I rarely see those fantastic bud openings. Would any of your readers or the Deer Hunter be interested in ‘goen deer huntin’ in my back yard?
Thanks for the ‘other names’ for this beautiful plant!
Eva Nell
Bill-give it a google and several purchasing choices will come up.
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
Dolores-it grows wild. But I have heard of nurseries selling it too.
Blind Pig The Acorn
Celebrating and Preserving the
Culture of Appalachia
http://www.blindpigandtheacorn.com
tipper that is so sweet.. and perfect… thats how i feel when you are so happy you could burst… and that flower just fits right into your mood.. im so glad that your family will be together for the holidays… these are the times to cherish and carry with us.. when we need cheering up..
may they all travel safely home to you…. give them a big ladybug hug for me
xoxo
lynn
We have those on our property. Didn’t know what they were. Good info!
Thanks for the info on that bush, I have saw them around our house but never knew what they were called. It is so Great that Guitar Man is coming for Christmas. The Holidays are more special when you have family at home.
Yes, very appropriate with Guitar Man coming home!
It is so very wonderful that he will be home for Christmas. I so well remember the homesickness for my Appalachian Mountains when I was away. You need to give Pap and Steve special thanks, as driving through Atlanta remains one of my worst experiences.
I love the way you bring little things to our attention and make them special. I’ve probably tromped all around the Hearts a Bustin’ bush and never noticed. Don’t ever leave us, as you always make my mornin’ coffee taste better.
Awww, I love how you correlated the Bustin Hearts flower with your hearts and the thrill of having a loved one home, especially this time of year. I’m happy for you all.
Well now if you ain’t a botanist too.
Last fall my brother was showing me around his place and asked me what the name of that plant is. I had seen them but couldn’t tell him the name. I googled it and looked in plant books but didn’t find it. Now when I go back to see him, I’ll tell him what it is and make like I’m smart.
Glad to hear the Guitar Man is coming home for Christmas.
I have never seen that bush. It is quite interesting. Does it grow wild or was it planted? I’m glad Guitar Man is coming home for Christmas. Happiness is family together enjoying each other. Merry Christmas!
Beautiful flower as far as I know it doesn’t grow here at least I have never seen it. Wonder if the seeds can be ordered from any of the seed catalogs?
I’m so pleased for your family that Guitar man will be home for Christmas.
The flower is so pretty, I’ll be on the lookout for it next fall.
How pretty! I’ve never seen those. I’ll have to keep an eye out and show it to my son so he can as he rambles about. He loves things like this bout as much as I do. So good to have family at home for Christmas!!